Honey market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The Greek honey market maintained a volume around 27 000 t from 2018 to 2019, supported by the high quality of domestic honey and specific EU legislation on composition. However, volume declined to 24 929 t by 2021 as the market faced growing issues with adulteration and 'Hellenized' honey, with 46% of honey in the EU considered fraudulent, undermining consumer confidence and affecting domestic production.

Market volume rebounded sharply to 30 585 t in 2022, driven by a 25% increase in honey production across the European Union and strengthened EU rules on authenticity and traceability aimed at combating fraud. The following year, volume fell to 27 759 t as Greek beekeepers contended with elevated production costs, competition from cheaper imports, and the implementation of the new EU Honey Traceability Directive (EU) 2024/1438, which introduced stricter control measures.

In 2024, the EU's honey traceability directive came into force, imposing more rigorous checks and a full traceability system to ensure authenticity, while Greek producers continued to grapple with high costs and restricted access to forest areas due to fire prevention measures, putting pressure on honey production.

Production honey in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece ranked 19th globally in honey production.

Top producers of honey, 2017-2020

World map of production of honey, 2017-2020

Greece's honey production grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 22 807 tons of honey, a slight increase of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4%, averaging an annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Greece's honey production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 101.8 million US dollars, a small decrease of 1.2% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 4.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 110.9 million US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 7.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Greece in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports honey from Greece

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece exported 4 845 tons of honey, a sharp rise of 49.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 52.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 15.1%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 12.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the United States were the top buyers of Greek honey in volume terms, accounting for 25.2%, 12.2%, and 10.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 47.6% of total exports, with the remainder distributed among numerous smaller partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's honey exports reached 21 616 thousand US dollars, an advance of 46.8% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 40.7%, with an average annual rate of 12.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 14 728 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 19.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Greece's honey exports in value terms were not heavily concentrated. Germany accounted for 25.2% of exports, the United States for 11.2%, and France for 11.2%, totaling 47.6% of overall flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Greece in value, 2017-2020

Imports honey to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Greece's honey imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 8 815 tons, a slight uptick of 2.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 53.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bulgaria was the leading supplier of honey to Greece, accounting for 71.8% of total imports in volume. The rest was spread across many other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Greece's honey imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 16 152 thousand US dollars, a strong reduction of 10.2% relative to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 18 968 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 25.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Bulgaria and Poland dominated Greece's honey imports in value terms, together accounting for 80.3% of total flows. Other destinations contributed smaller individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Greece in value, 2017-2020